Boaters in Distress

May 5, 2014 - By Terry Brooks

Smith Point Sea Rescue responds to calls from boaters in distress including groundings, mechanical failures, fuel issues and getting lost. According to Capt.Buddy Sylvia, “on Tuesday, April 29th Smith Point Sea Rescue had probably the most unusual mission in Sea Rescue’s 35 year history.The residents from Mill Creek off of the Great Wicomico River that they needed something towed from Mill Creek to Ingram Bay Marina.” It was an 8 foot – 10 inch dead dolphin weighing approximately 500 pounds.When Rescue One towed the dolphin through very rough seas around to the Marina where 2 members of the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program from Virginia Beach. Using a forklift the dolphin was loaded on a truck and transported to their lab in Virginia Beach to determine the cause of death.